Research

On 01. Feb.
1994 Prof. D. Gerlich took over the group Gasentladungs-
and Ionenphysik. In addition to the traditional studies of discharges
(e.g. polymerization, etching) various fundamental laboratory studies have
been started. The aim was to understand in detail all kind of plasmas,
ranging from technical applications to astrochemistry. Developing innovative ion
guides and low temperature ion traps and combining them
with lasers, molecular beams, sophisticated detectors etc., many unique
experimental studies became possible.

Since his retirement
(30.09.2009), Prof. D. Gerlich is actively engaged in several laboratories in
Prague, Basel, Köln and other universities. Of central importance are
applications of new cryogenic traps in reaction dynamics and spectroscopy.

Left: For heavy ions in helium, a cryogenic linear quadrupole is
especially well suited for determining absolute photo absorption cross
sections. The ion cloud (red) is completely embedded in the laser (yellow).
For more details see [jas15]